Northern black widow spider

Latrodectus variolus

Severity of bites

High

Severe damage. This can include life-threatening allergic reactions, transmission of serious diseases, or insects that have particularly painful or harmful bites or stings.

Description

Northern black widow spider is a solitary spider known for its irregular and broken web. It consumes small arthropods, trapped and immobilized with venom. While typically non-aggressive, northern black widow spider poses some health risks to humans. Its bite, although rare, can cause latrodectism

What are the symptoms of a Northern black widow spider bite or sting?

Initial Symptoms

Immediately after the bite of northern black widow spider, there may be minor discomfort, if any. The bitten area might appear red and swollen.

Progressive Symptoms

Symptoms usually develop within two to eight hours where an individual might begin feeling intense pain, cramps, chills, sweating, high blood pressure and even nausea. The pain tends to spread from the bite site to other parts of the body, especially to the abdomen and back.

Identification

Northern black widow spider's bite can produce a unique mild to moderate, dull pain with a pin-prick sensation, although not everyone experiences it. Eventually, a target-shaped wound can appear where the bite occurred.

Prolonged Symptoms

Without treatment, symptoms including muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, and tremors might persist for multiple days, or weeks in extreme cases.

What are the treatments for a Northern black widow spider bite or sting?

Immediate Measures

Clean the area with soapy water and apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Try to remain calm as accelerating the heart rate can spread the venom throughout the body more quickly.

Healthcare Intervention

Seek immediate medical attention to manage the symptoms better and reduce the risk of complications due to a northern black widow spider bite. Doctors usually relieve symptoms with pain medication and might monitor vital functions.

Admitting

In serious cases where symptoms are intense or persist, hospital admission might be required. Medical supervision can provide necessary support and management of complications associated with the northern black widow spider bite.

Medical Test

Healthcare professional might need to rule out other conditions like heart attack or appendicitis which can have similar symptoms as a result of the northern black widow spider's bite.

How to prevent a Northern black widow spider bite or sting?

Avoid Disturbance

Northern black widow spiders are non-aggressive spiders and biting is generally a self-defense mechanism when they feel threatened. Leaving them undisturbed might help avoid getting bitten.

Proper Clothing

When in areas with a known presence of northern black widow spider, wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and boots to protect from bites.

Awareness

Be aware of the northern black widow spider's habitat. They often dwell in wooded areas, rock piles, or debris-filled places. Always check before reaching or walking into such areas.

Pest Control

Regular pest control is recommended for homes with any northern black widow spider sightings. Pest control professionals can assist in the safe removal of the spiders.

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose	Lifespan
_ga	Google Analytics	These cookies are set because of our use of Google Analytics. They are used to collect information about your use of our application/website. The cookies collect specific information, such as your IP address, data related to your device and other information about your use of the application/website. Please note that the data processing is essentially carried out by Google LLC and Google may use your data collected by the cookies for own purposes, e.g. profiling and will combine it with other data such as your Google Account. For more information about how Google processes your data and Google’s approach to privacy as well as implemented safeguards for your data, please see here.	1 Year
_pta	PictureThis Analytics	We use these cookies to collect information about how you use our site, monitor site performance, and improve our site performance, our services, and your experience.	1 Year

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose	Lifespan
_fbp	Facebook Pixel	A conversion pixel tracking that we use for retargeting campaigns. Learn more here.	1 Year
_adj	Adjust	This cookie provides mobile analytics and attribution services that enable us to measure and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, certain events and actions within the Application. Learn more here.	1 Year